Kevin Pietersen’s England career over as management plan for the future

Kevin Pietersen

David Clough

Kevin Pietersen’s international career is over after nine turbulent years, with England’s management making a unanimous decision to rebuild without their star batsman.

The 33-year-old batsman, England’s leading run-scorer in all formats, was informed this week by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Pietersen has been excluded from March’s World Twenty20 - as well as the earlier one-day tour of West Indies.

An England and Wales Board released a statement on Tuesday evening read: “Kevin Pietersen met with Paul Downton, the Managing Director England Cricket, this week and was told that the unanimous decision of the England management, including the selectors, was that now was the time to start the rebuilding process after England’s disappointing winter in Australia.”

Pietersen scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47 in 104 Tests, in addition to 4,440 runs in 136 one-day internationals and 1,176 runs in 37 Twenty20s.

The player said: “I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won’t be for England.

“Playing cricket for my country has been an honour.

“Every time I pulled on the England shirt was a moment of huge pride for me and that is something that will live with me forever.

“Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I’m also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years.